Metal Man made it into The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 2008-2009 List of Best Gift Books:
http://bccb.lis.illinois.edu/gb2/index.html
The Bulletin has been very kind to Metal Man. Last year the book was featured on their cover and received a Starred Review. Thanks for all the love!
Here is a very nice review in the Bureau County Republican:
"Metal Man" is not just any welder. He's a metal sculptor, creating art from junk. Devon loves to watch him work, although Metal Man won't let him come too close. "That torch'll tear you up like a thousand killer bees," he warns. Then, one sizzling summer day, he says something different: "Whaddya wanna make?" Devon reaches deep inside and draws out the image in his head for Metal Man. "I want to live in a star," he says, and from Devon's imaginative description a beautifully crafted Star-House grows under the sculptor's skillful fingers. Beautifully crafted, too, is the text of this rare picture book: each perfect word in the perfect order. Masterful mixed-media illustrations show color and action but also suggest heat, light, and even the texture of metal, fabric, and concrete. Together text and art add up to a picture book that's a pleasure to look at, a joy to read.
Hooray, Metal Man has been named one of Bank Street College's 2008 Best Children's Books of the Year!
In addition, a little while ago I wrote that Metal Man was included in the Bookbuilders of Boston Annual New England Book Show. I've received the very handsome catalogue for the show, featuring their selection of the best book design of the past year. I'm proud to be part of it. Congrats also to Susan Sherman, who designed Metal Man.
Also, our book made it into the Librarians' Choices 2008 by the Texas Woman's University, which recommends the best 100 books of 2008. From the review: "[…] Full-spread illustrations in subdued colors and tones mimic the movement of the lively boy and the spark-flying work of the welder. They also provide fine examples of artistic perspective. Together, story and pictures provide powerful encouragement and inspiration for all budding artists."
I've just recently found another really nice review of Metal Man. Thanks Booklist!
Booklist - September 1, 2008
Devon's mother thinks Metal Man just makes "junk out of junk," but Devon sees things differently. He looks forward to visiting the man, who creates sculptures from scrap metal, and is facinated by the noisy saw and the sparks flying hot white, orange, and blue. He likes to talk about the shapes he sees in the artist's sculptures, knowing that when he puts names to what they are, he's never wrong: "Not like school." Best of all is the sculpture he makes with Metal Man, proving to his mother that art isn't just paintings in a gallery and that there's more to Devon than she may have realized.
Hoppe's palette is limited, but his muscular style, with boldly painted outlines and details, makes terrific use of perspective and pairs extremely well with the hip-hop lilt of Reynolds' language. The impressive, African American Metal Man is larger than life, and his young apprentice shows his growing excitement in every movement. An unusually masculine take on art that subtly marries themes of creativity and self-esteem.
Metal Man has now reveived reviews from all the major children's book reviewers and they were all overwhelmingly positive, including one Starred review by The Bulletin. It was part of the Society of Illustrators' Original Art Show, was selected a NCSS Notable Trade Book and has been published in Korea. Thanks for all the support, and especially to Aaron Reynolds for the great story. It's been a great journey and I'm looking forward to the things yet to come.
You can read all the reviews and other related news if you click on the Metal Man label at the end of the post.
I just received a copy of the Korean Edition of Metal Man. It's so thrilling to think that kids on the other side of the world are going to see this book. Though I can't read it myself, I've had friends translate me that the Korean title means something like "Dream-making studio". Thanks to Charlesbridge for arranging this, and to Sigongsa Co., Ltd, for their faith in our story!
I was excited to hear that The Reading Tub, an excellent resource on children's literature, has written a very nice review of Metal Man. You can check it out here.
Yay, Metal Man has been selected as a 2008 Notable Trade Book by the National Council for the Social Studies. The book will be featured at the NCSS Exhibit in Atlanta in November, as well as in the NCSS magazine. Thank you very much National Council for the Social Studies!
On Thursday was the opening of the Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators. Metal Man was selected as one of the books to be included into the show, which is a great honor. The show is up through November 26.
A very nice review of my picture book METAL MAN:
"Metal Man is a children's picturebook told from the point of view of an African-American boy during the heat of summertime. The young boy befriends a welder to turns junk into the most amazing things! The vibrant drawings of award-winning artist Paul Hoppe practically burst off the page in this unabashed celebration of the joys of summer, family, and creating artworks through metal welding."
Here are two photos from an author's visit I did at the Children's Museum of Manhattan last Sunday. Since I'm not the author of METAL MAN, I chose to re-tell the story in drawings, instead of reading the book. Then I showed some originals and finally the finished book. It was a lot of fun! You can purchase signed copies of my book in the gift shop now. Many thanks to the organizers for having me!
Here's a nice new review of Metal Man, and also I have an event coming up at the Children's Museum of Manhattan this Sunday Sept 7th, at 3pm and again at 4pm. I'll be narrating the book, drawing on the spot, signing, and doing some drawings with children. Should be fun!
Here's another very cool review of Metal Man. Thanks to reviewer Heidi Estrin and the School Library Journal!
"[...] Beautifully understated, the story is about the capacity of art to empower the artist and to affect how others see the world. The poetic text is visceral—readers experience the sounds, vibrations, textures, and heat of the metal shop. "'Whatcha makin', Metal Man? I say./He don't answer. He never does./'Whaddya see?' That's all he says." The cartoon illustrations, in rusty browns and shiny blues, depict the metal man as tall, strong, gentle, and wise, a larger-than-life hero. He encourages Devon to embrace his own vision, but also protects him from the dangerous tools he is not ready to use. In the space of an afternoon, the youngster grows in understanding and confidence. A wonderful example of sensory writing and colloquial storytelling, this would be an excellent book to read before embarking on art projects, museum trips, art-appreciation lessons, or community-helper units, and will inspire independent readers with a desire to try their own hand at sculpture or artistic creation."
The latest issue of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books just came out, with its truly wonderful review of Metal Man that I was looking forward to; BUT guess what, they also featured Metal Man as their Cover image! Thanks, Bulletin, and thanks to Elizabeth Bush for the beautiful review!
My children's book Metal Man is officially out now! Hopefully you can find it in your local bookstore.
Yay, Metal Man has received a Starred Review from The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books! The Issue will be out in July / August.
"Makin' junk out of junk" may not be Mama's idea of a proper job, but it's endlessly fascinating to young Devon, who spends his free time hanging out in the workshop of sculptor Mitch, whom he dubs Metal Man. [...]
Hoppe's mixed-media illustrations supply the heat and burly muscle the text demands. A controlled hodgepodge of broad brushstrokes and squiggly pencil lines, detailed representations of Mitch at work, and subtle backdrops of simplified forms and diminished colors all invite close, lingering inspection. [...]
Mitch is variously portrayed as a mystery man, a sometimes giant, larger-than-life idol, or an accessible friend, just as Devon views him. He looms over Devon in their initial conversation, abates in size when they work side by side at the table saw, and fills a full two pages as a grinder-wielding titan, bringing out he shine in the metal (and, metaphorically, the boy) that was under there all the time. [...]
My children's book METAL MAN received a wonderful review from the San Bernardino Sun:
"...Welded firmly together are the text by Aaron Reynolds and the illustrations by Paul Hoppe. The book brings to the reader the process of creating something special from what many feel is little more than junk metal. [...]
The paintings used are as strong as any heavy gauge metal in their telling of this story. The sparks from the welding portion of the pictures are particularly inventive and accurately portray the action. The angles of vision that are used on the pages of this book give the reader a feeling of strength that is equal to the metal that is being depicted. [...]
Across America, metal shops are fewer in number than they once were, so this also allows a grandparent or great-uncle to take a young reader on a historic trip to our nation's not-too-distant past..."
You can read the entire review here.
I got a nice shoutout on the German typography blog Slanted.
Many thanks to my good friend Boris Kahl!
There is a very nice and thorough review of Metal Man over at The Brown Bookshelf – many thanks to Don Tate!
As an early launch event, I'll be signing my brand-new children's book Metal Man (written by Aaron Reynolds) at the Rabid Rabbit table during the MoCCA Art Festival 2008, June 7th-8th, 2008 at the Puck Building, NYC. Hope to see you there - I'll make you a drawing in each book!
I've just received my first copy of Metal Man, a picture book by Aaron Reynolds that I illustrated throughout 2007. The book turned out great, the people at Charlesbridge worked hard to make it a wonderful result. It's beautifully written and highly recommended–not just for children! It comes out July 1st and you can pre-order your copy here. 
I'll be signing copies of Metal Man at the MoCCA Art Festival, June 7th-8th, 2008, Puck Building, NYC
